Washington Navy Yard, which was attacked by at least one gunman Monday morning, though more than a 2 1/2-hour drive away, is the headquarters for several local Navy installations.

The yard is home to Naval Sea Systems Command, which designs, builds and delivers ships and ship systems. The command works closely with private shipyards like Newport News Shipbuilding, a builder of aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as the handful of major repair yards in south Hampton Roads.

It also operates Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth and a Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion & Repair office in Newport News, which provides an on-site presence at Newport News Shipbuilding, the largest shipyard in the country. SUPSHIP, as it is called employs about 385 civilians and 40 military personnel, according to its website.

"We do have a special relationship with the folks who work up there," said Jeff Cunningham, a spokesman for Norfolk Naval, where he said workers are as shocked as anyone.

He said he couldn't say if the local shipyard might be taking any additional security measures.

Janet Rinehimer, spokeswoman for SUPSHIP's Newport News office, without talking specifics said "we have increased our security measures in Building 2, which is our one building."